LINWOOD, Minn – The man who admitted hitting and killing a military veteran on the shoulder of Interstate 35 near Hinckley last June will serve a year in jail for his crime.

Derek Sanders will also be on probation for nearly 10 years.

The parents of Trevor Langlois told KARE 11 that they agree with the punishment.

“We don’t want another parent to have to lose a child and have their hearts ripped out like we did,” Sherry Langlois said. “We allowed (Sanders) to only serve the one year in the county jail but the felony remains. We want him to have reason to stay clean.”

Sherry and Brian Langlois said they fought for a strict probation instead of prison or jail time to help Sanders better obey the laws. If Sanders slips up or does not meet the conditions of his probation, he will complete the sentence in jail or prison.

Sanders admitted to police that he had been drinking for at least four hours before he struck Trevor on the shoulder of I-35. Trevor Langlois died days later from his injuries.

The Army veteran, who left behind a son and wife, is buried a block from his parents’ home in Linwood.

It is also the home where he grew up. And on Christmas Eve, his parents found a letter Trevor Langlois wrote in 2007. It was his final farewell just in case he did not make it home from serving the country.

That letter is what Sherry and Brian Langlois said gave them strength to fight for justice on behalf of their son.

A portion of the letter their son wrote said, “I believed the world was worth more than me. I love you both very much. Be proud. I’ll be watching.”

And his parents are proud. The couple visits the cemetery almost every day after supper to clean their son’s tombstone. Sherry still watches over her son like a child at play.

“Isn’t he just so precious,” Sherry Langlois said while wiping dirt from the nameplate. “My little boy.”

Trevor’s dad said he misses the voice of his son and as well as the motorcycle rides they shared together.

“I was so proud of him. The thing I will miss most is him coming up the driveway and saying ‘Hi, pops,'” Brian Langlois said. “We talked a lot.”

On May 1, Gov. Mark Dayton signed a new bill into law that will require drivers of any collision to stop and investigate what or who they hit. The law goes into effect on Aug. 1.

In partnership with Mother’s Against Drunk Driving, MADD, the Langlois family is hosting a walk June 7 in Trevor’s honor. It takes place at Phalen Park in St. Paul.

If you’d like to get involved, click here for more information.